Photographic work table



Sept. 7, 1965 H. R. BENSON PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1963 INVENTOR. HAROLD R. BENSON BYWW,

ATTORNEYS Sept. 7, 1965 H. R. BENSON 3,204,545

PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK TABLE Filed April 17, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 INVENTOR.

HAROLD R. BENSON BYY/ 4@4,W,

AT TORN EYS United States Patent 3,204,545 PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK TABLE Harold R. Benson, Lombard, Ill., assignor to The Nuarc Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed A r. 17, 1963, Ser. No. 273,585 6 Claims. (Cl. 95-100) The present invention relates to a photographic work table, and, more specifically, to a rub-up table for cleaning, wiping, and otherwise processing photographic plates and the like.

In the commercial development of large photographic plates and the like, material appears on the plates as they are being developed which must be wiped off the plates. Moreover, the plates as they are being developed are, of course, covered with moisture. It is necessary to process the plates on a clean work surface in order to obtain optimum quality of finished plates.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved work table for processing photographic plates and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved work table for processing photographic plates and the like and which continuously provides for a clean work surface for the plates.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved work table for processing photographic plates and the like and provided with improved means for directing drying air substantially evenly over the work surface of the table.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularly in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In accordance with these and many other objects of the present invention, there is provided a new and improved work table which has a large work surface, and mounted to the rear of the work surface is a roll of wrapping paper for normally covering the work surface. The loose end of the wrapping paper is clamped to the front edge of the table. When the paper covering the work surface becomes dirty, the user will merely pull on the sheet to get a clean portion of the wrapping paper to cover the work surface, and the soiled paper will be torn off. Moreover, a fan and heating unit are incorporated in the table in a manner to blow air over the surface of the entire table.

More specifically, in a particular embodiment of the present invention, the work table for processing photographic plates and the like provides a table work top secured to a base cabinet. A control panel is supported by the base above the top adjacent the backside thereof. The control panel includes an air manifold in its front end provided with air openings which are directed downwardly and forwardly across the top of the table. Moreover, a blower fan communicates with the manifold for forcing air into the manifold and through the openings in the manifold, substantially forwardly and downwardly, and evenly across the work table. Heating means may be incorporated in the air supply so that the operator may selectively choose hot or cold air as air is required for the particular plate processing operation.

Additionally, the control panel is provided with a paper slot, and a roll of paper is mounted in the control panel for dispensing paper through the slot and across the table top. The paper is secured to the forward end of the table top by one .or more clamps or similar devices.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work table according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the work table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the work table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational View of the work table of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a crosssectional elevational view of the control panel shown on the table of FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, and drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a detail of the control panel of FIG. 5 and taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a detail of the work table of FIG. 1, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a detail of the work table of FIG. 1, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the work table of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated an improved work or rub-up table 10 according to the present invention. The work table 10 includes a work surface or table top 11 mounted on a metal cabinet type base 12. Additionally, the work table 10 is provided with a control panel 13. The base 12 is in the form of a storage cabinet including a back side 16, a pair of end sides 17, and a substantially open front side 18. The base 12 additionally includes a plurality of shelves 19 toprovide for storage. The work surface 11 is secured to the base flush with the back side 16 thereof and overhanging the front side 18 and the end sides 17. Moreover, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the Work surface 11 is formed of wood 2t covered with a heatand mar-resistant covering 21 such as the laminated plastic melamine and phenolic impregnated material commonly available under the trade name of Formica.

To secure the control panel 13 to the back side 16 of the base 12, there is provided a plurality of angle brackets 24 having one leg 24a, FIG. 4, secured to the back side 16, and having a second leg 24b carrying the control panel 13 for support clear of the work surface 11. The legs 24a and 24b are rigidly interconnected by a web 240 perpendicular to both of the legs 24a and 24b.

The control panel 13 is formed by a front wall 25 including an upper vertical portion 25a and a lower inclined portion 25b extending from the lower edge of the vertical portion 25a and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of the work surface 11. The control panel additionally includes a top wall 26 having an intermediate raised corrugated portion 26a forming a rack for pencils and the like, and a pair of recessed well portions 26b spaced outwardly of the center portion 26a and forming a chemical and tool storage rack for bottles 27 and the like. The ends of the control panel 13 are closed by end walls 28; however, the rear of the control panel 13 may be open if desired.

To provide for unrolling a clean sheet of wrapping paper onto the work surface 11, the front inclined portion 25b terminates in a lower edge 25c spaced from the work surface 11 to provide a paper slot 30. A sheet 31 of wrapping paper or other suitable covering material protects and provides a clean work area over the work surface 11 and may be unrolled from a supply roll 32 of wrapping paper or the like supported between opposed guide channels 280 in the end walls 28. It will be understood that the roll 32 of wrapping paper may conveniently be loaded through the open back end of the control panel 13 and the paper may conveniently be pulled through the paper slot to cover the work surface 11. The free edge of the sheet 31 of paper may be clamped or otherwise secured to the forward overhanging edge of the work surface 11 by a pair of suitable clamps 33.

In order selectively to provide for a flow of air substantially evenly over the work surface 11, the inclined portion 25b of the front wall 25 is provided with a plurality of staggered rows of elongated slots or vents 35, FIGS. 1 and 3, and a vertically positioned longitudinal partition 36 is provided within said control panel 13 spaced from the vertical portion 25a of the front wall 25 and defining an air manifold 37 in the control panel 13. The upper part of the front inclined portion 2515 forms one side of the air manifold so that air in the manifold 37 is directed through the slots downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across the work surface 11. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, a fan or impeller 38 is provided within a fan chamber 39 located in the control panel below the elevated portion 26a. Suitable drive means such as an electric motor 40 is operatively connected to drive the fan 33. The fan 38 communicates with the manifold 37 by a fan exhaust conduit 41 which extends into an opening 42 in the partition 36.

For selectively heating the air from the fan 38, a heater including a plurality of heating elements, here shown as electric resistance elements 45, may be provided at any suitable location to heat the air discharged from the manifold 37. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the heating elements 45 are conveniently located in the exhaust conduit 41 from the fan 38.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the electric circuit provided for blowing air over the work surface so that the air selectively may be either ambient or warm. More specifically, the electric motor 40 and an indicator light 48 are connected in parallel with each other, and serially to one terminal 50a of a double-pole, double-throw selector switch 50 across a pair of terminals 51 and 52, adapted for connection to a suitable source of electrical energy. Another terminal 5012 on the same side of the switch 50 is not used. Both switch blades of the switch 50 are connected together by a jumper conductor 51. Closure of the switch 50 downwardly as viewed in FIG. 9 is effective to energize the motor 40 to blow ambient air from the fan 38 and over the work surface 11 of the work table 10. The indicator light 48 indicates that air is blowing over the work surface.

For blowing heated air across the work surface 11, the heater 45 and an additional indicator light 54 are connected in parallel with each other across one terminal 500 on the other side of the switch 59. A jumper conductor 55 connects the other terminal 50d on the second side of the switch 569 with the first terminal 50a so that the motor 4t) and indicator light 48 are connected to both sides of the switch 5i). Closure of the switch 50 upwardly as viewed in FIG. 9 is effective to connect the heater 45, motor 46', and both indicator lights 48 and 54 across the terminals 51 and 52 for connection to an external power source. When the indicator light 48 is lit by itself, this indicates that ambient air is flowing over the work surface; when both the indicator lights 48 and 54 are lit, this is an indication that heated air is flowing over the work surface.

Advantageously, the improved work table as described above provides a convenient work surface facilitating faster, cleaner, easier plate-developing, finishing, asphaltum coating, and rub-up. It is an improved table for developing and finishing pre-sensitized and wipe-on plates. A powerful even flow of air covers the table to speed drying. If warm air is desired, it is simply necessary to switch on the built-in electric heater. The working area is protected by heavy wrapping type paper fed from a roll. When the paper becomes soiled, it is merely necessary to tear off the soiled portion and clamp a fresh, clean piece in place.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to only a single embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that numerous other modifications and embodiments will be devised by those skilled in the art which will fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A Work table for plate finishing and the like comprising a cabinet type base open at the front end and providcd with shelf means for storage; a table work top secured to said base flush with the back side thereof and overhanging said base at the front and end sides, said top being formed of wood and covered with laminated plastic sheets of melamine and phenolic impregnated material; a plurality of angle brackets secured to the back side of said base; a control panel supported by said brackets having a front wall formed by a front vertical portion and a front inclined portion extending from the lower edge of said vertical portion and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of said top, said inclined portion terminating in an edge spaced from said top to provide a paper slot, the top of said control panel forming an implement rack; a vertically positioned longitudinal partition in said control panel spaced from said vertical portion and defining an air manifold in said panel including an upper part of said inclined portion, said upper part having a lurality of rows of elongated slots to direct air from said manifold downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across said table top; fan means including motor means positioned in said control panel connected to force air into said manifold; heating means positioned to warm air blown from said fan means; selecting means for selectively controlling said fan means and said heating means; means in said control panel for holding a roll of paper in position to be unrolled over said top through said paper slot; and clamp means for clamping an edge of unrolled paper.

2. A work table for plate finishing and the like comprising a base; a table work top secured to said base flush with the back side thereof; a plurality of angle brackets secured to said base; a control panel supported by said brackets having a front wall including a lower inclined portion and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of said top, the top of said control panel forming an implement rack; a partition in said control panel defining an air manifold therein which includes an upper part of said inclined portion, said upper part having a plurality of openings to direct air from said manifold downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across said table top; fan means including motor means positioned in said control panel connected to force air into said manifold; means in said control panel for holding a roll of paper in position to be unrolled over said top; and clamp means for clamping an edge of unrolled paper.

3. A work table for plate finishing and the like comprising a base; a table work top secured to said base flush with the back side thereof; a plurality of angle brackets secured to the back side of said base; a control panel supported by said brackets having a front wall formed by a front vertical portion and a front inclined portion extending from the lower edge of said vertical portion and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of said top, the top of said control panel forming an implement rack; a vertically positioned longitudinal partition in said control panel spaced from said vertical portion and defining an air manifold in said panel including an upper part of said inclined portion, said upper part having a plurality of openings to direct air from said manifold downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across said table top; fan means including motor means connected to force air into said manifold; heating means positioned to warm air blown from said fan means; and selecting means for selectively controlling said fan means and said heating means.

4. A work table for plate finishing and the like comprising a cabinet type base open at the front and provided with shelf means for storage; a table work top secured to said base flush with the back side thereof and overhanging said base at the front and end sides; a plurality of angle brackets secured to the back side of said base; a control panel supported by said brackets having a front wall formed by a front vertical portion and a front inclined portion extending from the lower edge of said vertical portion and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of said top, said inclined portion terminating in an edge spaced from said top to provide a paper slot, the top of said control panel forming an implement rack; a vertically positioned longitudinal partition in said control panel spaced from said vertical portion and defining an air manifold in said panel including an upper part of said inclined portion, said upper part having a plurality of rows of elongated slots to direct air from said manifold downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across said table top; fan means including motor means positioned in said control panel connected to force air into said manifold; heating means positioned to warm air blown from said fan means; selecting means for selectively controlling said fan means and said heating means; means in said control panel for holding a roll of paper in position to be unrolled over said top through said paper slot; and clamp means for clamping an edge of unrolled paper.

5. A work table for plate finishing and the like comprising a base; a table work top secured to said base flush with the back side thereof; a control panel supported from said base having a front wall including a lower inclined portion and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of said top, the top of said control panel forming an implement rack;

a partition in said control panel defining an air manifold therein which includes an upper part of said inclined portion, said upper part having a plurality of openings to direct air from said manifold downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across said table top; fan means including motor means positioned in said control panel connected to force air into said manifold; means in said control panel for holding a roll of paper in position to be unrolled over said top; and clamp means for clamping an edge of unrolled paper.

6. A work table for plate finishing and the like comprising a base; a table work top secured to said base flush with the back side thereof; a control panel supported from said base having a front wall formed by a front vertical portion and a front inclined portion extending from the lower edge of said vertical portion and inclined downwardly to the rear to provide a front edge overhanging the rear portion of said top, the top of said control panel forming an implement rack; a vertically positioned longitudinal partition in said control panel spaced from said vertical portion and defining an air manifold in said panel including an upper part of said inclined portion, said upper part having a plurality of openings to direct air from said manifold downwardly and forwardly substantially evenly across said table top; fan means including motor means connected to force air into said manifold; heating means positioned to warm air blown from said fan means; and selecting means for selectively controlling said fan means and said heating means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 918,509 4/09 Conaway 9573 1,729,292 9/29 McCarthy 68,3 2,568,493 9/51 Garrison 312236 X JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner.

NORTON ANSHER, Examiner. 

1. A WORK TABLE FOR PLATE FINISHING AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A CABINET TYPE BASE OPEN AT THE FRONT END AND PROVIDED WITH SHELF MEANS FOR STORAGE; A TABLE WORK TOP SECURED TO SAID BASE FLUSH WITH THE BACK SIDE THEREOF AND OVERHANGING SAID BASE AT THE FRONT AND END SIDES, SAID TOP BEING FORMED OF WOOD AND COVERED WITH LAMINATED PLASTIC SHEETS OF MELAMINE AND PHENOLIC IMPREGNATED MATERIAL; A PLURALITY OF ANGLE BRACKETS SECURED TO THE BACK SIDE OF SAID BASE; A CONTROL PANEL SUPORTED BY SAID BRACKETS HAVING A FRONT WALL FORMED BY A FRONT VERTICAL PORTION AND A FRONT INCLINED PORTION EXTENDING FROM THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID VERTICAL PORTION AND INCLINED DOWNWARDLY TO THE REAR TO PROVIDE A FRONT EDGE OVERHANGING THE REAR PORTION OF SAID TOP, SAID INCLINED PORTION TERMINATING IN AN EDGE SPACED FROM SAID TOP TO PROVIDE A PAPER SLOT, THE TOP OF SAID CONTROL PANEL FORMING AN IMPLEMENT RACK; A VERTICALLY POSITIONED LONGITUDINAL PARTITION IN SAID 